After being reborn, the aloof female CEO became a paranoid.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu scrutinized Xu Xinran with a complex expression.

His thoughts drifted back to his past life, where he fell from his horse and was filled with fear, never riding a horse again.

Zhou Ze, however, was quite enthusiastic about it, and Xu Xinran was always by his side.

Zhou Yu's heart ached as if it had been pricked by needles.

He had fantasized countless times that if Xu Xinran could give him a little warmth, just like she had given Zhou Ze, perhaps he could overcome that damned psychological barrier.

But reality is cruel; she wouldn't even give him a tender glance.

Now, times have changed. He stands here, the words Xu Xinran spoke echoing in his ears—words he had longed for in his past life—but they can no longer stir any ripples in his heart.

The hopes and joys of the past have long since faded with the passage of time.

Just as he was lost in thought, Xu Xinran had already swiftly ordered someone to bring over a fine horse. The horse had an inky coat, a lithe physique, and exuded an invincible aura.

When it saw Xu Xinran, it acted extremely affectionately, as if it only recognized her as its master.

“This horse is called ‘Lingfeng.’ It’s very obedient and much better than the one you’re leading. You can ride it.”

Zhou Yu's expression changed slightly, and the suppressed fear in his heart surged up again.

But he forced himself to remain calm, unwilling to show weakness in front of others.

Just as he was hesitating, Shen Tianling suddenly interrupted, trying to stop Xu Xinran from disrupting their plans on the grounds of Zhou Yu's safety.

"Mr. Xu, your horse is excellent, but Zhou Yu..."

Before Shen Tianling could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a sharp look from Xu Xinran.

That gaze seemed to pierce through one's heart, instantly silencing Shen Tianling. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and he dared not say another word.

"I will make my own decisions."

Zhou Yu finally spoke, but Xu Xinran noticed his subconscious timidity and hesitation.

She clearly remembered that his riding skills were already quite good at this point, so why was he so nervous?

Without much thought, she simply reached out and wrapped her arms around Zhou Yu's waist from behind, stood on tiptoe, and whispered in his ear, "Don't worry, I'm here this time, I definitely won't let you fall again."

Again?

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu's mind went completely blank, as if a pot had exploded in chaos.

However, her body was no longer under her control; drawn by Xu Xinran's voice, she mounted the black horse named "Lingfeng".

When he came to his senses, Xu Xinran was already riding another horse, looking at him with a smile.

Zhou Yu knew there was no escaping it now.

He took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and began to recall the key points of horseback riding.

"Are you ready?" Xu Xinran's voice came through, tinged with anticipation.

Zhou Yu nodded, then gently squeezed the horse's belly with his calf, and "Lingfeng" shot off in a flash.

"Slow down!"

Xu Xinran called out from behind, her voice filled with anxiety and worry.

She followed closely behind Zhou Yu, afraid that he might make even the slightest mistake.

Watching Zhou Yu galloping on horseback, Xu Xinran couldn't contain her excitement; she had finally seen him alive again.

She whipped her horse and sped up to catch up, afraid that she might lose the man again if she wasn't careful.

Finally, Xu Xinran caught up with Zhou Yu, and the two horses rode side by side. She gently adjusted the reins, keeping a distance that was neither too close nor too far from Zhou Yu.

She turned her head and looked at the man with a complex expression, a mixture of admiration and pity.

Not far away, Zhou Ze's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and his fists were clenched so tightly that they cracked, as if he wanted to crush the air around him.

Shen Tianling also looked unwilling. The two exchanged a resentful look, but could only watch helplessly as Xu Xinran and Zhou Yu gradually walked away.

"Damn it, what kind of spell did Zhou Yu cast on Xu Xinran?!"

Zhou Ze cursed under his breath through gritted teeth, then turned and left angrily.

Shen Tianling suppressed his anger and looked to his mother, Zhou Yuzhen, for help. After receiving a hint of tacit approval, he could only leave reluctantly.

At this moment, Zhou Yu and Xu Xinran seemed to be in another world, with only the sound of horses' hooves and each other's breathing in their ears.

Gradually, Zhou Yu relaxed a lot and became more and more adept at riding.

Xu Xinran looked at the dashing man beside her, and the smile on her lips gradually deepened.

She had to thank Zhou Ze and the others for their "help," otherwise she wouldn't have had the chance to be alone with Zhou Yu like this right now.

When the two got tired of riding, they dismounted and strolled leisurely around the horse farm with their horses in tow.

Looking at the man beside her, Xu Xinran recalled the few intimate moments she had shared in her past life. Her body involuntarily moved closer, and her free hand gently wrapped around Zhou Yu's broad palm.

Zhou Yu was startled by this sudden action and tried to pull his hand back, but found that Xu Xinran's hand was like an iron clamp, tightly gripping his fingers.

"What...what are you trying to do?!"

Zhou Yu's voice was somewhat hoarse, and his eyes were full of doubt and wariness.

Xu Xinran smiled nonchalantly, a sly glint in her eyes.

Then, she slowly walked up to Zhou Yu, and the distance between them instantly closed, so close that they could almost feel each other's breath.

"What are you planning? You'll find out soon enough."

Before she could finish speaking, Xu Xinran tiptoed and kissed her directly...

"Well……"

Caught off guard, Zhou Yu's eyes flashed with surprise and panic. He instinctively tried to push her away, but just as he raised his hand, Xu Xinran's small hands tightly wrapped around his wrist, rendering him unable to move.

After the kiss ended, Xu Xinran looked at Zhou Yu, whose face was flushed, and smiled calmly.

"What? I helped you, and I'm not allowed to ask for anything in return? I'm a businessman, and I never do business where I lose out..."